"And what is your husband's name?"

While we were in the Tucson area, we wanted to visit a senior facility where Jane's mother and father lived for a few years. They both were very happy in this community and Jane and her brother always felt their parents had excellent care.  We met with a lovely women in the marketing department who listened carefully to our questions and was very interested in our study.  Much like our visit to a senior community in our neighborhood in San Diego, we left the meeting feeling like senior communities really do want to know our needs and really do want to welcome and include LGBT seniors.  The problem is, they just don't know what that looks like!  

As an example:  When Jane called to make the appointment at the facility, the receptionist asked Jane for the name of her husband.  Jane calmly and clearly answered, "My partner's name is Linda."  Yes, they have some work to do!

One other reason for visiting this senior facility was to see the beautiful Yamaha piano Jane and her brother Wilson, donated to the Memory Care Unit after their mother passed away.  Here is a picture of Jane with the piano in memory of her parents, Louise and Wilson Cooper.